Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000679/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Marco Squarta (ECR), Nicola Procaccini (ECR), Francesco Ventola (ECR), Stefano Cavedagna (ECR), Elena Donazzan (ECR), Carlo Ciccioli (ECR), Alberico Gambino (ECR), Sergio Berlato (ECR), Michele Picaro (ECR), Chiara Gemma (ECR), Paolo Inselvini (ECR), Alessandro Ciriani (ECR), Denis Nesci (ECR), Mario Mantovani (ECR), Daniele Polato (ECR)
In the United States, President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order entitled ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’.
It prohibits transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports at school and university, arguing that it threatens sporting integrity.
Following this decision, the US university sports governing body, the National Colloquiate Athletic Association (NCAA), revised its policy, stressing that the change will provide clear, consistent and uniform eligibility standards.
In the EU, Article 165 TFEU recognises the social and educational function of sport and encourages cooperation and support for physical activity. However, European sports federations’ autonomy when it comes to managing competitions leads to the use of different selective criteria, creating inconsistencies and potential imbalances.
In light of the above:
- 1.Does the Commission think that the differences in the criteria adopted by European sports federations could affect the level playing field in women’s competitions?
- 2.Drawing inspiration from the US measures, does it think it would be worth looking into the impact of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports and launching a European initiative to determine possible physiological advantages and ensure the fairness and protection of women’s sports?
Submitted: 13.2.2025